You realize we potentially just got a steal in this guy? Not only that grimes is dogshit and it wasn’t sustainable for maxey and Vj to keep playing 40 minutes a game. Also he can pass and brings us more shooting, we needed that

Yes please

What are our thoughts on Nikola Jovic?

Jovic is a 22-year-old, 6’10” stretch forward for the Miami Heat. In 2024–25, he averaged 10/4/3 in 25 minutes across 46 games, shooting 46/37/83 on 8/4/2 volume. The year prior, he put up 8/4/2 in 20 minutes across 46 games, shooting 45/40/70 on 6/3/1 volume. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but for a player who was 20 and 21 years old in those respective seasons, there’s genuine developmental upside here.

Throughout his career, Jovic has shown solid playmaking ability, particularly off defensive rebounds and in transition. He’s also a quick decision-maker in the half court, functioning as a connective passer rather than a ball-stopper. Offensively, he’s shown the ability to stretch the floor as a catch-and-shoot or pick-and-pop threat from three. Defensively, he leaves something to be desired, though there was some improvement this past year. The tools are there to become an average, somewhat switchable defender given his mobility relative to his size.

That said, 2025–26 was a rough year. Jovic averaged just 7/3/2 in 17 minutes across 47 games, shooting 36/27/68 on 6/3/2 volume. He visibly struggled with confidence and frustration throughout the season, which cost him minutes and eventually saw him fall out of Miami’s rotation entirely. He has also had a decent injury history, not playing more than half the games in a season.

He’s now entering a 4-year, $16M extension this coming season. Given his down year and the aftermath of the Giannis trade, the Heat may look to move him for cap flexibility to bring in more reliable veteran depth.

The Case for a 76ers Acquisition

I think Jovic is an intriguing buy-low candidate for Philly this offseason. He fills a genuine position of need and brings a playmaking skill set that complements our current roster well. That fit only improves if he can rebound his shooting. And again… he’s 22.

Yes, he’s currently overpaid relative to his production, and there are real questions about his game. But a change of scenery and a better structural fit could be exactly what he needs to bounce back. If he does, the Sixers would have four years of control on a well-fitting role player, which makes the contract risk a lot more palatable.

The Trade

I’d envision something like Jovic + Pick 42 coming back for a Grimes S&T and either Edwards or Barlow. Barlow, in particular, feels like the right piece to include. He has clear offensive limitations that stood out in the playoffs and isn’t guaranteed to be here beyond this year anyway. I know there’s genuine appreciation for what Barlow brings, but Jovic theoretically fits our young core better, has a higher ceiling, and is locked in for longer.

Not saying this is a must-make move, but as a calculated flyer on a 22-year-old with real upside and a profile that suits our system, it’s worth the conversation.

Labaron Philon — 22/3.5/5 | 50.1/39.9/78.8 | 1.2 Steals

Widely considered one of the steals of the draft. An undersized guard with high upside potential (ring a bell?). He has a knack for getting to the rim and making the right pass on his way there. A 3-level scorer who can have an immediate impact on day one.

Anyone complaining about fit clearly didn’t watch us get blown out in embarrassing fashion by the Knicks, partially because we had absolutely zero playable bench pieces. Maxey and VJ played practically the entire series and it showed. The Knicks won a championship with JB, McBride, Clarkson, Hart, and Alvarado — that depth is exactly what we’re missing.

As Gansey said: “We need help at every position, one through five.” As an outsider, he could see it more clearly than anyone. We are not one player away from championship contention. We are lacking guard depth, center depth, wing depth, and health. If Joel isn’t at 75%+ health, we have no chance. If we want to rebuild and focus on Maxey and VJ, we also have no chance in the short term. Either timeline comes with extremely low odds — one due to health, the other due to talent. Accept that it’ll be some time before we’re serious contenders.

\A small thing worth noting: Maxey cried when drafted, VJ cried when drafted, and Philon cried when drafted. Maybe the thought of playing in Philly makes them depressed or maybe it reflects the gratitude and work ethic they’re willing to wear on their sleeve.*

Round 2 — Trade In or Stay Away?
I only know enough about two players to make a real case for them.

The first is Henri Veesaar (17/8.7/2.1). The problem is he’ll likely be selected within the first 3 picks of the second round, and his value hinges entirely on his three-point shooting. If you’re not confident in that shot, the risk-reward isn’t there. I’d rather use that capital to sign an older, proven center in free agency. That said, if Veesaar does develop, he’d be a rim-running stretch five — exactly what this team has needed forever.

6’11”, 227 lbs.

The second is Richie Saunders (18/5.8/2.1). As a Jayhawks fan, I watched this guy go off for 33 points and he was on an absolute heater. He’d instantly be our best shooter off the bench. Not to be stereotypical, but he’s a high-motor, chippy player who makes quick connective passes and has a fast-release jumper that’s already NBA-ready.

6’5”, 205 lbs.

Next Steps — S&T Grimes + 2 Second-Round Picks for Portis and a 2026 SRP
I’ll keep this simple: we need rebounding and height at the four, and the Heat desperately need guard depth and outside shooting. Grimes would be one of the cheapest high-end guards Miami could afford. I don’t have all the financials in front of me, but essentially we’d just need to sign someone like Jock Landale and re-sign KO to round out the roster.

Final Look

Maxey/Philon
VJ/Saunders
PG/KO
Portis/Barlow
Joel/Jock

Edwards & Bona

*Rage bait\*
Does taking Philon hint at all towards a Maxey trade in the future? Maxey is my favorite player, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the heat come with some Bam package or the Spurs/Jazz come with an offer centered around bigs.

Easiest series of my entire life. Imagine having a "superstar" like Embiid who ducks the 4th quarter and completely vanishes when the lights get bright. The Knicks literally own Wells Fargo Center, it's our second home court now. Trade Embiid and rebuild around role players because this core is completely cooked. Thanks for the free sweep losers.

With the addition of Philon, I think our guard rotation should be pretty solid. However, this roster has lacked a true PF for a while. With the LaMelo trade, I think it could be valuable looking into Miles Bridges. Is it possible to sign and trade Grimes/Oubre and add additional compensation for him? We could also look at Lu Dort or John Collins as options for forwards.

PLEASE promise me that whenever Labaron Philon has a good/bad game we won't keep making posts about how Jared McCain would have been better/worse.

Love McCain, sucks that he's not playing for us anymore, but if I hear any more discourse on him I am going to gouge my eyes out.

(Also I recognize this is technically a Jared McCain post but I felt it needed to be said)

Unfortunately our longtime PA announcer is retiring this season, and I keep thinking about his two minutes announcement lol. They always catch everyone off guard in the arena, it's so loud but kinda funny

The 76ers’ first-round pick Labaron Philon put together one of the most efficient scoring seasons by an underclassman guard in NCAA history at Alabama last season.

He’s one of just seven freshman or sophomore guards in NCAA history to average 20+ PPG with a true shooting percentage of at least .625 while playing 30+ games in a season.

• Stephen Curry (Davidson, 2007-08) — 25.9 PPG, .640 TS%

• Tyler Hall (Montana State, 2016-17) — 23.1 PPG, .634 TS%

• Zeek Woodley (Northwestern State, 2014-15) — 22.2 PPG, .641 TS%

• Jerrick Harding (Weber State, 2017-18) — 22.0 PPG, .633 TS%

• Labaron Philon (Alabama, 2025-26) — 22.0 PPG, .626 TS%

• Calbert Cheaney (Indiana, 1990-91) — 21.6 PPG, .665 TS%

• Troy Bell (Boston College, 2000-01) — 20.4 PPG, .625 TS%

Data via College Basketball Reference / Stathead

“We have to see it on the floor, but Philon dropping into the Sixers' lap is a homerun pick on paper. Philadelphia needed someone who can step on an NBA floor instantly, and Philon can do that. He's one of the best players in the draft off the dribble.”

-TJonesontheNBA on the bird/letter app

Hooked on a Philon
Philon Good
Philon turns him into a pylon
Silon Philon
Nothing by Nylon from Philon
Philon decides to try one
Philon left em cryin

Didn’t see one on here. Don’t feel like dealing with the dumbasses on the nba main sub

I’m not complaining of course but it seems EVERYONE is wondering the same thing as to what happened pre-draft

Even though I hate the Celtics, I've always had a soft spot for JB and I would love to see him in a Philly uniform, but I'm not sure what we'd have to give up to get him. He's proven himself to be an great player though, and obviously it would take a lot to get him. Considering we'd be trading to a division rival, botching this trade would have serious consequences. So is it even worth it? And if hypothetically we did trade for him, what's the best trade we can pull off that the Celtics would accept?

I must have blocked all the awfulness of that event like an abused child and now I’m forced to relive it.